A washer and dryer set costs $1,200 to $2,500. That is the number on the price tag. It is not the number you will actually pay. The true cost of owning a washer and dryer includes repairs, parts, energy, warranties, depreciation, moving, and disposal. Over 10 years, these hidden costs add $1,500 to $3,000 on top of the purchase price.
Most people budget for the sticker price and stop there. Here is what they miss.
Repair Costs
Washers and dryers break. Pumps fail. Belts snap. Heating elements burn out. Control boards short-circuit. According to HomeAdvisor, the average appliance repair costs $170 to $400 per visit.
A washer repair runs $150 to $400 depending on the part. A dryer repair runs $100 to $400. Most machines need at least one major repair between years 5 and 10. Many need two or three.
A single service call costs $75 to $100 just for the technician to show up. That is before parts and labor. In a smaller market like St. George, you have fewer repair technicians to choose from. Wait times can stretch to a week or more. You are without laundry until the fix is done.
Budget $400 to $1,200 in repair costs over the life of a washer and dryer set. That is a conservative estimate.
Parts Availability
New machines use parts that are easy to find. Older machines do not. Manufacturers discontinue parts as models age out. A control board for a 7-year-old washer can cost $200 to $350 if you can find one at all.
Third-party parts exist, but quality varies. Some work fine. Some fail within months. The older your machine gets, the harder and more expensive it becomes to keep running.
Water and Energy Costs
A standard top-load washer uses about 20 gallons per load. An older or cheaper model can use 30 to 40 gallons. At St. George water rates, the difference adds up over hundreds of loads per year.
Energy matters too. An older dryer without moisture sensors runs longer than it needs to. It does not know when the clothes are dry, so it keeps heating. That shows up on your electric bill every month.
Energy Star-rated machines use 25% less energy and 33% less water than standard models. But Energy Star machines cost more upfront. You pay either way.
Extended Warranties
Retailers push extended warranties at checkout. They cost $100 to $300 per appliance. They sound like protection. Read the fine print.
Most extended warranties exclude wear-and-tear items like belts, hoses, and seals. Those are the parts that fail most often. Many warranties require you to use specific repair providers. Some have deductibles per service call. Some cap the total payout below the cost of replacement.
You can spend $200 to $600 on extended warranties for a washer and dryer set and still pay out of pocket when something breaks.
Depreciation
A $2,000 washer and dryer set loses value fast. After 5 years of use, that set is worth $400 to $600 on the resale market. That is a 70% to 80% loss in value.
Used appliance buyers know this. They will not pay much for a machine that is halfway through its lifespan. You absorb the depreciation whether you sell or not. If you keep the machines until they die, the resale value is zero.
Moving Costs
Washers weigh 150 to 200 pounds. Dryers weigh 100 to 150 pounds. Moving them from one home to another costs $100 to $200 for professional movers. That assumes a straightforward move. Stairs, tight hallways, and long distances cost more.
You also risk damage during the move. A washer drum can shift during transport. Hoses crack. Connections break. A move that damages a machine leads directly to a repair bill.
The average American moves 11 times in a lifetime. Every move with owned appliances costs money and carries risk.
Disposal and Haul-Away
Machines die. When they do, you need to get rid of them. Haul-away services charge $25 to $75 per appliance. That is $50 to $150 to dispose of a washer and dryer set.
Some municipalities offer bulk pickup, but schedules are limited. You may have a dead washer sitting in your garage for weeks. Recycling drop-off sites exist, but you still need to transport a 200-pound machine to get there.
The Real 10-Year Cost of Ownership
Here is what the full picture looks like for a $2,000 washer and dryer set over 10 years.
Purchase price: $2,000. Delivery and installation: $150 to $350. Sales tax at 6.75%: $135. Repairs over 10 years: $400 to $1,200. Extended warranties: $200 to $600. Higher energy and water costs on aging machines: $200 to $500. One move: $100 to $200. Disposal at end of life: $50 to $150.
Total 10-year cost: $3,235 to $5,135. The hidden costs alone run $1,235 to $3,000. That is 60% to 150% on top of the sticker price.
How Renting Eliminates Hidden Costs
Renting a washer and dryer from DryAndWashRent costs $60 per month for both machines. Installation is a one-time $39.99 fee. That is the entire cost. There are no other fees.
Repairs are included. If your washer or dryer stops working, you call (435) 767-7225. DryAndWashRent fixes or replaces the machine. You do not pay for parts, labor, or service calls. There is no warranty to buy because maintenance is already covered.
You do not deal with depreciation. You do not pay to move machines. You do not pay to haul them away. When you move, DryAndWashRent picks up the equipment.
Over 10 years, rental costs $7,240 plus the $39.99 installation. That is more than the total cost of ownership. But over 3 to 5 years, rental is competitive or cheaper, especially when hidden costs are included. For anyone who moves, rents their home, or values predictable monthly costs, rental removes every surprise from the equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to repair a washer or dryer?
A washer repair costs $150 to $400. A dryer repair costs $100 to $400. The average appliance repair runs $170 to $400 according to HomeAdvisor. Service call fees of $75 to $100 are often charged on top of parts and labor. Most machines need at least one major repair between years 5 and 10 of ownership.
What is the true cost of owning a washer and dryer?
A $2,000 washer and dryer set costs $3,235 to $5,135 over 10 years when you include delivery, installation, tax, repairs, warranties, energy costs, moving, and disposal. The hidden costs add $1,235 to $3,000 on top of the purchase price. Most buyers do not account for these expenses when making their purchase decision.
Does renting a washer and dryer include maintenance?
Yes. DryAndWashRent includes all maintenance and repairs at no extra cost. The monthly rate is $60 for both a washer and a dryer. If either machine breaks down, DryAndWashRent fixes or replaces it at no charge. There are no service call fees, no parts costs, and no need for extended warranties. Call (435) 767-7225 to get started.
Ready to rent a washer and dryer in St. George? Fill out our quick form or call (435) 767-7225.